West Chester University, YMCA partners in fencing

Staff photos by Tom Kelly IV
Sarah Blossom, left, and David Linskens complete during youth fencing club at the West Chester Area YMCA.

A two-year-long partnership between West Chester University and the YMCA’s Oscar Lasko Youth Program has fencers in the area crying “en garde!” with a smile on their faces.

The two fencing programs have developed a partnership which allows the YMCA to utilize the university’s electronic scoring equipment during winter and summer breaks each year. The equipment allows young fencers at the YMCA to experience their sport at a higher level, and to get an idea of how it works competitively.

The partnership did not stop there though. Because of the university’s generosity in sharing their equipment, the YMCA invited them for a scrimmage between the two teams. Mark Mattie, the volunteer coach for the university team, and one of three coaches at the YMCA, said the event was a successful one, and he expects the partnership to continue.

“The university fencers were a great inspiration to the young fencers here at the YPC,” said Mattie. He went on to say that the university’s team may host an inter-West Chester competition at the school’s campus, which would allow the two teams to compete against one another again.

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Mike Hannon, head coach for West Chester’s fencing club, said the partnership with the YMCA made sense. “Through their association with (West Chester University), it was natural for our club to help out from time to time with equipment and such,” he said.

Both teams are active within the fencing community, with the YMCA having hosted a number of events during the past two years, and sending students to compete at the local level. The university’s team participates in inter-university competitions throughout the year, using all three weapons: foil, sabre, and epee. Rebecca Flanagan, the club’s vice president, said that members have competed against University of Delaware, Temple University and University of the Arts in addition to other universities throughout the area.

Despite the competitive aspect however, Flanagan said many members choose to attend meetings only to learn the sport. “Our club is recreational and competitive,” she said. “A lot of our members often come and learn the sport, but don’t compete.”

At the YMCA’s Oscar Lasko Youth Program Center, Mattie starts students on one weapon: the foil. “You start with foil and learn all the techniques,” before being allowed to move on. Each of the three sessions lasts eight weeks, at the end of which students are tested to determine whether they are able to move on to the next level. Before joining the club, students must complete all three sessions.

Additionally, the YMCA offers a competition group for fencers interested in taking their skills to the next level. Students in this group must be members of the club, and are able to take part in competitions throughout the year.

Apart from being a fun sport to learn, Mattie said fencing has a number of benefits. Unlike other martial arts, fencing requires that you use your strong hand for both offense and defense, which Mattie said balances a student with other martial arts, which only use the strong hand for defense. He also mentioned that fencing can have value in self-defense. “It makes you quick to react,” he said, explaining that the sport engages a thought process which students may not otherwise have mastered.

Flanagan said that the sport is a mental one. “You learn strategy, determination, critical thinking, and endurance.... it really doesn’t matter how small you are. You just have to be mentally strong,” she said.

To learn more about the YMCA’s fencing program, visit their website at www.ymcabwv.org/.